LIVE music, fairground rides, workshops and an 18-foot-long chariot were just some of the attractions at the fourth Bolton Mela Festival.

Hundreds of people of all ages crowded on to the Spa Road playing fields for a fun day out.

A large white marquee festooned with banners was pitched on the fields and housed dozens of colourful stalls. Live bands also entertained the crowd with African and Asian music as children eagerly lined up for rides on a mini fairground which included a Ferris Wheel and a Waltzer.

The festival -- which cost about £30,000 to set up -- was organised by voluntary body, the Bolton Mela Group.

Chairman Aaqil Ahmed praised the festival's diversity. He said: "This is not just for Asian people -- it is for everybody.

"There are lots of multi-cultural events happening. For example, we have African music and football teams from across Bolton taking part in a tournament. Next year we would love to have a group of morris dancers performing."

In the centre of the main marquee a huge Hindu ceremonial chariot took pride of place. The chariot was harnessed by four model elephants and was elaborately decorated with symbols of the Hindu god Ganesh.

Mela Group members felt the elephant symbol was particularly apt as is it also a symbol for Bolton.

A vast range of stalls surrounded the chariot offering an array of goods.

Visitors could get henna tattoos and have their hair braided or they could sample spicy home-made Indian pickles. Other stalls allowed children to practise a traditional Indian way of welcoming people, through the art of rangoli.

Nine football teams from across Bolton took part in a five-a-side football tournament which saw about 70 youngsters entertaining the spectators as they charged across the field in the dazzling sunshine.

Visitors could also take part the Pakistani game of Beenie -- which is a form of arm wrestling where contestants are stood up.

Workshops for Indian and African Dancing, steel drumming and tye-dying also provided lots of fun along with a stall where visitors could make wicker fishes, snakes and bulrushes.

Festival guest of honour the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, and the rest of the visitors were also entertained by Indian dancers, Asian pop group Anakhi and African cultural group Osagyefo.

Bolton couple Amanda and Alan Lines, who visited the festival with their three children, said they wished there were more festivals like this.

Amanda said: "Our children have very much enjoyed the music and the dancing. We have really enjoyed it."

Dipesh Dhodakia also visited the festival with his family. He said: "I think it has been brilliant. We have been round everything and its been really great."